Start a Capsule Wardrobe With Archives - Page 115 of 128

Surviving the Treadmill – The Great Courses

May 23, 2013

Yes, I go to the gym five days a week. I walk two miles, at least, on a treadmill, at something just over 4 miles per hour. It's boring, and tiring.And I don't really find that television keeps me amused...

So a few years ago, I started buying and downloading courses on music, philosophy and literature from The Great Courses.

I'm particularly smitten with this professor - Dr. Robert Greenberg.

He's smart, he's funny, and I know more about opera, symphony, and a bunch of composers...

You might as well enjoy yourself and learn something while you're burning calories.

Why yes, I AM running behind schedule... More normal posting will ... View the Post

One dress – Six ways, in Black, White and Pink

May 22, 2013

Okay, let's do some imagining... Imagine a person who has truly made the choice that their wardrobe core colors are going to be black, white, and pretty pink. Over the years, she accumulates the necessary basics - cardigans in her colors, a black suit, shoes and sandals in black, with a fun pair of pink dress shoes, just for kicks. She has a beautiful pink scarf that has been around forever, and she has been carefully, gradually accumulating pink and silver jewelry...

Now, one day this person is shopping, and they see a dress. A classically cut, simple, (no beads, nor sequins) dress. In black, white and pink!

It's easy to immediately fear that a dress in a print or ... View the Post

Closing the triangle of Hot Pink, Turquoise, and Orange; traveling again with Hermes Fleuri de Provence

May 11, 2013

There was one more color combination waiting to be addressed in the beautiful Hermes Pique Fleuri de Provence - Turquoise and Hot Pink. And that got me thinking that these three accent colors (don't forget Orange), on a base of black and white neutrals, would be a perfect wardrobe scheme for... well, for everything, forever. I see the symbol for this wardrobe like this:

And with this as your focal point, you can just combine garments and make purchases with confidence...

So one last trip, with the Hermes scarf as the initial inspiration:

Piqué Fleuri de Provence silk scarf - Hermes, silk “Neon Love” scarf – Marc Andersen

Shirt – J. Crew, jacket –Faberge & Roches, ... View the Post

Do you actually WEAR your favorite clothes?

May 10, 2013 Yesterday, when I was getting dressed, I reached out for my favorite silk jacket. It's from Eileen Fisher, it's a color she calls cobblestone, which is sort of bronze/grey/green, and when I wear it I look tall and thin and young, and AMAZINGLY stylish. I reached. And then I pulled back. WHAT????? Somewhere in the back of my mind lurks this voice that says "oh, save that for a special occasion..." Really? At my age? It's not like I'm going to get dirty on the playground, nor spill chocolate milk on myself at lunch. (mmmmm....chocolate milk....) What's the worst thing that can happen?

I might be the best-dressed person at work. (Oh bother) ... View the Post

Turquoise & Orange: A Packing Capsule based on Hermes Fleuri de Provence

So if you love the scarf, but hot pink isn't your favorite, what about turquoise?

Piqué Fleuri de Provence silk scarf - Hermes, cashmere and linen wrap – Etro

Orange knit top – Weekend MaxMara, jacket - Carven, earrings- Jamie Joseph, watch – Skagen, white linen pants – Nicole Farhi, espadrilles - Zara, white tote- Longchamp, rolling bag – Diane Von Furstenberg

Necklace – K. Amato, dress – Roksanda Ilincic, earrings – Bounkit, bracelet – Anton Heunis, pumps – Butter, sweater – J. Crew, skirt – No. 21 cardigan – Vanessa Bruno, tee shirt- Majestic, white capris – Dorothy Perkins, ballet flats – Dr. Scholls

... View the Post

Hot Pink & Orange: A Packing Capsule based on Hermes Fleuri de Provence

Yes, traveling with white pants might seem sort of nutty... But they look really great! Just make sure they're washable, right? And this would certainly work well with black in the place of white.

Piqué Fleuri de Provence silk scarf - Hermes, dip dyed linen scarf – Sperry Top-Sider

Orange knit top – Weekend MaxMara, fringed silk poncho- Ralph Lauren Black, earrings- Fossil, watch – Salvatore Ferragamo, white linen pants – Nicole Farhi, flats – Manolo Blahnik, white tote- Longchamp, orange tote - Bodhi

Silk necklace – Nangara by Julia Fusinato, dress – Reiss, earrings – Ben Amun, bracelet – Stella and Dot, pumps – Jimmy Choo, hot pink tee - BurberryBrit, skirt – Versace, ... View the Post

Navy and Hot Pink: A Capsule travel wardrobe based on 2 scarves

I received a very specific request for a travel plan that was mostly navy, but accented with hot pink, and which wasn't "stodgy". This plan built on a "core of four" in navy: pants, skirt, cardigan and tee, and tossed in a navy dress too. A white tee shirt, a bright cardigan, and a couple of whimsical tops negate any possible worries about being too mumsy... Some fun jewelry, and you're away!

Promenade au Faubourg silk scarf - Hermes, silk wrap – Stella McCartney

Tee shirt - Hugo, cardigan – Vanessa Bruno, earrings- Michael Kors, watch – Mougin & Piquard, pants – Lucza London, loafers – Brooks Brothers, bag – Solomon Appollo, suitcase - Rimowa

Necklace – J. Crew, dress – Philosophy ... View the Post

How to wear a White v-neck sweater – the final sweater installment

May 3, 2013 This is the final v-neck sweater request - this time: white. White sweaters are tricky because they don't tend to be opaque, and so layering under them can be difficult. So for the most part, I've opted to treat this sweater as a really really nice tee shirt, and take advantage of its simplicity to enable to wearing of some great scarves and amazing jewelry. And of course, fun shoes!

Sweater – Closed, scarves - Hermes, pants – Reiss, loafers – Tory Burch, skirt – John Lewis, pumps – Kate Spade

Sweater – Closed, necklace- Aris Geldis, watch – Movado, pants – Burberry Prorsum, flats – Repetto, earrings and necklace – Banana Republic, skirt – Calvin Klein, pumps – ... View the Post

Navy and Turquoise: A Capsule Packing Wardrobe based on 2 scarves

Silk scarf - Hermes, linen wrap – Etro

Tee shirt - Hugo, cardigan – Jardin des Orangers, turquoise stud earrings- Jamie Joseph, watch – Kate Spade, pants – Lucza London, loafers – Brooks Brothers, bag – Saint Laurent, suitcase – Samsonite

Necklace – Stella and Dot, dress – Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, drop earrings – Sandra Dini, bracelet – Kelly Wearstler, pumps – Jimmy Choo, sweater – 3.1 Phillip Lim, skirt – Toast, cardigan – DKNY, silk blouse – Skunkfunk, sleeveless top – Prabal Gurung, ballet flats – Bloch

... View the Post

Does every woman need a denim jacket? Customizing the Classics

April 26, 2013 A couple of people have asked me about the widespread advice that every woman show have a denim jacket. Of course I disagree with this idea - I don't think anybody else can tell you what you should have in your wardrobe.

Traditional denim jackets can be really cool, but they're not always flattering:

There's nothing particularly wrong with denim; there are a variety of options in denim that could be a lot more flattering than the traditional cropped, narrow fit.

Maybe the cut is okay, but the color doesn't work very well; there are denim jackets in other neutral colors that might be a lot more useful for you.

Or you could get really radical and choose a ... View the Post

Now to wear a Neon Yellow v-neck sweater

April 23, 2013

This was a special request from someone who LOVES, and looks good in, neon yellow. To her I say carpe the sweater; few of us can wear this color well. It's a great way to stand out in a crowd, and make a very cheery statement on even the gloomiest days.

Outfits including a yellow sweater and a dressy printed skirt

Sweater – Erica Cavallini, earrings – Tita, skirt – Sportmax, sandals – Marc by Marc Jacobs, earrings – Tita, skirt – Prabal Gurung, sandals – Frye

Outfits with a yellow sweater, solid jeans or trousers, and a patterned scarf

Sweater – Erika Cavallini, scarves - Etro, jeans – Ralph Lauren, sneakers - Keds, black linen pants – Vince, boots – Christopher ... View the Post

Must every woman own a pair of Khakis? Customizing the Classics…

Pants – Brunello Cuccinelli, sleeveless top – Dorothy Perkins, cord bracelet – Dorothy Perkins, blush sandals – Marais USA, chalcedony earrings –NuNu, tunic – Mary Portas, lace ballet flats – J.C. Penney, tank top – Uniqlo, tote bag – Ted Baker, sandals - Balenciag

When you read those "10 wardrobe classics every woman MUST have", you'll often see a pair of khaki pants included as one of the ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED pieces of clothing...What utter tripe - there is NO REQUIRED GARMENT for any woman's wardrobe. (Yes, I firmly believe some women can live without a bra, and if you wear tights every day, then other undergarments might be optional too...)

That said, there is some logic to the idea of a pair of khakis are a core ... View the Post